10. The football gods have hated on the Skins for so long, why stop now?
Answer: Because Snyder has is becoming more warm and cuddly with age
9. The "upgrades" at WR are questionable at best. Moss has had one good year in the league and is fragile. Patten has been a career backup.
Answer: Moss doesn't miss games. He runs out of bounds. Patten may be a career backup, but he is the only receiver who has been around long enough to say he had an NFL career. He's proved he can play at this level.
8. Will the so called changes to the running game be enough? I can't see Gibbs totally abandoning his beloved counter plays, and Portis never seemed to warm up to the idea of playing John Riggins. Was the Portis-Gibbs duo destined to fail from the start and a horrible mismatch of styles?
Answer: Gibbs brought up to the team and media which plays worked best. He obviously understands.
7. We've heard all about Gibbs adding the shotgun, but how much will it actually be used, and what difference will it really make? He experimented with it briefly in 1984, what happens the first time a snap goes over the QB's head? Will he stick with it?
Answer: We don't need the shot gun to be successful anyway.
6. Casey Rabach was a productive starter for one season. Who's to say he'll mesh with a different line, coaches and system?
Answer: If he just adds depth to the line, it's a plus. I think he will add more.
5. The loss of Antonio Pierce.
Answer: Holdman, Barrow, Marshall, Clemons, McCune..........
4. The loss of Fred Smoot.
Answer: 2nd round pick eplaced by a 1st round pick... and added Hawkins just in case.
3. Patrick Ramsey has been inconsistent his entire career, who's to say he can improve enough to lead a playoff run? Gibbs' hand-picking of Brunell and Campbell doesn't say much for his long-term confidence in Ramsey.
Answer: 69% completions over last 5 games last year. Rabach and Portis both have commented on how good he is looking this year.
2. The defense played incredibly well last year, perhaps they overacheived and did it with smoke and mirrors. We still don't have a true pass rushing threat, and the loss of two key defenders could prove to be too much. What happens if poor LaVar still isn't happy?
Answer: Same coaches, second year in the system, more healthy players. Last year Lavar was broke anyway.
1. While Gibbs did have a lot of difficult circumstances to overcome last year, it was disturbing how lost and out of sorts he looked at times. Dare I say he looked Spurrier-esque at times. The poor clock management, the blown replay challenges, the questionable playcalling, etc.
Has the game really passed him by? His past acheivements are something to admire and he has a bust in Canton to speak to that, but his past acheivements aren't going to win games for him in today's NFL. This past offseason has been messy to say the least. The Coles situation, Sean Taylor, the questionable draft pick of Campbell, etc. Gibbs has alot to prove this year, the main thing he needs to prove is can he win games?
Answer: If the game passed him by, he is gaining back on it fast. The offensive changes he made in the last 6 games of last season proved effective. Gibbs attention to detail has not wained. His desire to win burns as strong as ever. He learns from his mistakes... better clock management, optimized play calling, etc. With an improved Gibbs and consistant Williams, I would hate to be the other team trying to prepare for the can of woop ass the Skins will be releasing on them this season!
